The Wedge

By: Lu Thom, August 2002

Hello, fellow golfers. You may be saying, "Boy, it seems like a long while since I've read a Wedge, and you know what-you'd be right! So, let me a take a moment to recap some items that happened the first part of the year.

Back when the weather could be an issue in finishing a round, we celebrated Chinese New Years and, as so often happens, luck was with us and the rain held off until all the golfers finished. We celebrated the New Year with a complimentary lunch sponsored by the Club. As a special memento, the Club purchased each member a red (very red!) La Mode golf shirt which sports the Club logo and the wish for a Happy New Year, "Gung Hay Fat Choy." Together with the shirt, each member received a good luck lycee.

The Chinese New Year's tournament was won by Andy Shieh and Tony Chau who tied for first with net scores of 65, and Bing Wong and Bob Wong tied for third with net scores of 66.

The Benson Fong Memorial tournament was held in Oxnard this year at the River Ridge Golf Course. Jim and Bob Wong from Tucson, Arizona and Johnny Lau from Modesto joined us. Even though we had wind gusts to 60 miles per hour and lightening fast greens, everyone had a great time. The winds were so fierce that many players had to use a driver, from the white tees, on a 172 yard par 3. Players commented that "after that outing there's no wind we can't handle." That night we were treated to a delicious meal at the Hungry Tiger restaurant. Former Club President, Chuck Wong, who co-founded this tournament, gave a special thanks to Bill Tom for all of his hard work in perpetuating this event. Thank you Bill. Congratulations to all of the winners including Bing Wong for Field Low Gross, and Bob Bennett for Field Low Net. The following day, we played at Olivas Park and the wind was not quite as challenging.

In April, twenty members of the LACGC traveled to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. They played SIX rounds of golf in SEVEN days, and went siteseeing on their off day. The trip was organized by none other than Bill Tom. Bill arranged accommodations at the Caravelle Hotel and booked some fabulous golf courses which included Long Bay, Oyster Bay, Glen Dornoch, and Caladonea. It was a great trip and, thanks to a restaurant recommendation from Bill and Tony Chau's selection skills, we were able to enjoy some delicious Chinese food, made especially to order, not the general fare. Other highlights included a magic show performed by a magician who has appeared at the Magic Castle and lots of late night trips to the local Dairy Queen. Tony Chau, Bing Wong and Dave Thom were in charge of the "Action" on the courses, including,…what else…a 2-2-2, and team bets. We also had a Calcutta Auction and Jean Lee was the big winner. Congratulations to all that were able to attend.

The Memorial Day Tournament was held in Sacramento and many members made the trip. The Club was represented by Tony and Amy Hsieh, Eddie and Elza Lee, Bill Tom, Dave Davis, Dore Wong, and Victor Wong. Golfers played at the Turkey Creek and Haggin Oaks golf courses and our members brought back two trophies in the Ladies' Divisions. Congratulations to Elza Lee who won the Women Seniors Low Gross, and to Amy Hsieh for winning the Low Gross in her flight. Congratulations to all participants and thank you to Dore for providing this information to be included in the Wedge.

Kudos are also in order for our own Natalie Wong who, while preparing for another five weeks on the Futures Tour, played in and won the U.S. Challenge Tour event at the Hesperia Golf and Country Club, in July. The victory was special, not only because of the money she earned, but Daddy Bing caddied for her.

Proud papa Bing decided to show everyone where Natalie gets her talent by winning the Mercedes Dealership tournament, which was held August 7 at Robinson's Ranch Golf Course. Eight members of the LACGC played, 4 broke 100, the others did not……all players shall remain nameless! Bing will be a member of a 4-man team and will play in a regional tournament at Pelican Hills Golf Club, one of the most expensive golf courses in Southern California at $250 a round on weekends. The winning team will go to Kapalua in Maui and play in the Mercedes championship in January. Good luck to Bing…not a bad first finish for a guy who keeps hitting the wrong ball!

Dave Davis arranged a Match Play tournament with sixteen 2-man teams. The champions had to win four matches in an 80% of handicap best ball format. After some great competition, the two remaining teams of Jean Lee and partner, Bing Wong, and Sid Louie and Danny Ho squared off for the final match. Congratulations to the victors, Jean and Bing.

The most recent partners tournament was held this month using a 2-man aggregate format. The first round was played as a partner best ball, with full handicap. The resulting score was added to the team's combined net score, the following week. Partners, M.K. Chuck and Jack Jung were the overall winners with an overall score of 10 under. Good shooting!

Regarding general Club information----Our next general meeting will be held September 29 and we urge everyone to try and attend. The Board and Officers slate will be presented at this meeting and nominations will be taken from the floor. Everyone's participation is important.

A free round of golf at LA Royal Vista will be given to any member who plays a total of 10 rounds with the Club, excluding the Las Vegas Tournament, in October, November and December. Also, any member who recruits a new, paying member, will receive two free rounds of golf at LA Royal Vista.

On occasion, winners of our tournaments are winning with net scores not consistent with their handicaps and/or statistical standards as set by the USGA. The tournament chairman and the handicap chairman will work together to establish tournament handicaps in addition to our SCGA handicap.

Included with the Wedge are the last several months Monthly Tournament Results.

As always, your comments and suggestions are welcomed and encouraged. Enjoy the rest of the summer and see you next month at our general meeting.

The following poem is courtesy of Hank Fong:

ODE TO A GOLF BALL

IN MY HAND I HOLD A BALL,
WHITE AND DIMPLED, RATHER SMALL.
OH, HOW BLAND IT DOES APPEAR,
THIS HARMLESS LOOKING LITTLE SPHERE
BY IT'S SIZE I COULD NOT GUESS,
THE AWESOME STRENGTH IT DOES POSSESS.
BUT SINCE I FELL BENEATH ITS SPELL,
I'VE WANDERED THROUGH THE FIRES OF HELL.
MY LIFE HAS NOT BEEN QUITE THE SAME,
SINCE I CHOSE TO PLAY THIS GAME.
IT RULES MY MIND FOR HOURS ON END,
A FORTUNE IT HAS MADE ME SPEND.

IT HAS MADE ME CURSE AND CRY,
I HATE MYSELF AND WANT TO DIE.
IT PROMISES A THING CALLED PAR,
IF I CAN HIT IT STRAIGHT AND FAR.

TO MASTER SUCH A TINY BALL,
SHOULD NOT BE VERY HARD AT ALL.
BUT MY DESIRES THE BALL REFUSES,
AND DOES EXACTLY AS IT CHOOSES.

IT HOOKS AND SLICES, DRIBBLES AND DIES,
OR DISAPPEARS BEFORE MY EYES.
OFTEN IT WILL HAVE A WHIM,
TO HIT A TREE OR TAKE A SWIM.

WITH MILES OF GRASS ON WHICH TO LAND,
IT FINDS A TINY PATCH OF SAND.
THEN HAS ME OFFERING UP MY SOUL,
IF ONLY IT WOULD FIND THE HOLE.

IT'S MADE ME WHIMPER LIKE A PUP,
AND SWEAR THAT I WILL GIVE IT UP.
AND TAKE TO DRINK TO EASE MY SORROW,
BUT THE BALL KNOWS... I'LL BE BACK TOMORROW !!!!

Click here for: Jan 2002 Wedge, Sept 2001 Wedge,
May 2001 Wedge, January 2001 Wedge